He hoped she didn’t. Although a part of him wanted to let MacDonnell know what his daughter had done, taking Juliana back might put her in more danger. Morag had proven herself to be conniving. Besides, going back meant the possibility that Cameron might be lurking near the castle as well.
Juliana shook her head. “I do not want to go back.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. “Then I’ll put the saddle on Misty and leave it loose while ye ride with me.”
Several emotions swept across her face, each moving so quickly that he wasn’t able to decipher any of them, but she finally nodded.
Taking care to cinch the saddle only tightly enough that it would not slide around, he led Misty toward Baron and hitched her reins to the gelding’s saddle. Then he returned for Juliana. She tried to stand, then fell quickly back.
He crouched down. “Let me lift ye.”
She frowned as he stood up with her. “I hate feeling helpless.”
“I ken, but if ye do more damage to your ankle, we may be stuck at Dalwhinnie for days. I thought ye wanted to get home.”
“I do.” She glanced at him. “I am sure you do, too. I am most definitely a burden to you now.”
“Are we going to have that conversation again?” He placed her in the saddle, careful not to bump her ankle.
“I do not wish to be trouble for you.”
“I dinna say ye were nae trouble.” That got him an eye roll, and he grinned. “But I think I am getting used to it.”
She frowned. “Am I supposed to be flattered?”
He shrugged. “Ye do seem to like vexing me.”
One of her brows rose. “You seem to delight in vexing me as well.”
“I’ll admit I do like seeing your hair turn on fire.”
“My hair?” She instinctively touched a curl as if to make sure it was unlit. “I have no idea what you mean.”
He grinned again as he vaulted up behind her. “It turns redder when your temper rises. ’Tis intriguing.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “You try to make me angry so you can beintrigued?”
“Aye.” He reached around her for the reins. “And right now, your hair seems to be getting brighter.”
“Humph!” She turned around. “I am glad I amuse you.”
“Well, ’tis a long ride.” He nudged Baron forward. “I’ll have to see what else I can do to irritate ye along the way.”
“Humph!” she said again and settled back against him.
And he realized he’d spoken much too soon. Having her arse settled so firmly over his groin was going to be damn irritating.
…
She hadn’t meant to settle againstthatpart of him, but now that she had, she wasn’t going to admit her error by adjusting her position. It would probably justamusehim further to think she was embarrassed.
My hair doesnotget brighter when I am angry.
Her ire was not up, either. Now that he’d confessed to deliberately trying to pique her temper, she was not going to succumb. For the rest of the ride, no matter what he said or did, she was going to remain calm and composed. She was.
Her face did feel a little flushed, though, and she was quite warm in spite of the winter weather, but that had nothing to do with her being annoyed. She was wearing wool breeches and the heavy woolen cloak the MacDonnells had given her, after all, and she was practically cocooned by Rory. Her back was pressed against his chest, and his arms were around her, using the reins to guide the horse. Anyone, even a placid and perfectly in-control lady, would be warm under the circumstances. It did not mean she was doing a slow boil. Or that maybe…maybe…she was enjoying his attention a bit.
She spent the next several miles mulling proper replies that she could give to any question—no matter how irritating—that Rory might ask. It was harder to do than she thought it would be. She huffed in frustration. As much as she resented it, until they reached Dalwhinnie, she was going to have to bite her tongue and act like a docile and demure idiot.
